BOGNOR REGIS LOCAL

HISTORY SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER NO. 66

MARCH 2012

The Society was founded in January 1979 by the late Mr.K.R.

Crum to bring together those interested in the history of Bognor

Regis and district and to encourage the research and recording of

its past and present. In 1984 the Society established a Museum in

the town, firstly at Park Lodge, Hotham Park, then in 1997 at 69,

High Street and now at the former Berkeley Arms in West Street.

Web site; www.bognormuseum.org.uk

Hon. Chairman Mr Cliff Mewett

72, Addison Way, Bognor Regis, PO22 9HZ

Hon. Vice Chair Mr Chris Burstow

7, Devonshire Road, Bognor Regis, PO21 2SX

Hon. Sec. Mrs Angela Gillespie

11, Brook Close, Bognor Regis, PO21 5PN

Museum Curator Mr David Jennings

9, Nuffield Close, Bognor Regis, PO21 5RA

Treasurer Mrs Gwen Twaites

26, Rife Way, Felpham, PO22 7BP

Subscriptions are due annually on 1st November and allow free

admission to meetings and two free newsletters per year.

Fees are;

Single £9.00

Couples £12.00

Associates members £12.00

Fees should be sent to the membership secretary Mrs Kay Fall at

17, Sandy Road, Pagham, PO21 4SP.

The Stewards rota for the museum is organised by Elaine Cox and

she is in need of some more volunteers please. Tel. 01243 867847

If any member has questions, suggestions, or ideas please send in

writing to the secretary so it can be discussed at committee

meetings’

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CONTENTS Minutes of 33rd AGM 2

Chairman’s Chatters, The Finale, Kay Fall 9

Introducing our new Chairman, Cliff Mewett 10

Creating a Buzz 11

R E Simpson, In Memory 12

Opening the Pier Pavilion, Ron Iden 13

A Ghostly Experience in Pagham 16

Antiques Roadshow, Jane Barnes 17

Other People’s Museums, part 1, Jane Barnes 20

Wreath Laying 21

Bognor at War, part 1, Cliff Mewett 22

Bognor at War, part 2, Kay Fall 23

The Green Thing, Maurice Bone 25

Other People’s Museums, part 2, Jane Barnes 27

From our Archives, part 1, 27

An Elegant Watering Place, Sheila Smith 28

From our Archives, part 2, 31

Other People’s Museums, part 3, Jane Barnes 32

Sea Bathing 33

Bognor’s Weaving Industry, Ron Iden 34

Severe Weather 36

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Minutes of the 33rd Annual General Meeting held on 9th

January 2012 at The Hub with approx. 50 members in

attendance.

Apologies for absence were received from Mr & Mrs Came, Mrs

K Dicks.

Minutes

Minutes of the previous meeting, published in Newsletter no. 64,

were accepted as a true and accurate record. (Proposer: Mrs J

Barnes, Seconder: Mrs S Smith). There were no matters arising.

Chairman’s Report

The Chairman Kay Fall began her report by calling for a show of

appreciation for all the hard work carried out by the Museum

Curator, David Jennings, in turning the building into a Museum of

which the whole town can be proud, and asking him to accept

Honorary Membership of the Society as a token of members’

appreciation. He continues to require the help of volunteers and

names can be offered at the end of the meeting. She then

announced the resignation from the Committee of one outstanding

member, Eve May, who has been on the Committee almost since

the society started, and has held almost every office in that time.

She is already an Honorary Member and was presented with a

floral basket as a token of appreciation. She has promised her

continued support. The Chairman continued by outlining the

various events at which she represented the Society, and the

outside exhibitions attended by members, usually the same small

group of volunteers. She asked for help in distributing new

Museum leaflets when they have been printed, five thousand

having been distributed last season.

Kay proceeded to announce her own resignation from the post of

Chairman, but was happy to say that a nomination had been

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received for a replacement, and also for Vice Chairman to replace

Eve May, and volunteers to fill the posts of Programme Secretary,

(Howard Dicks), and Newsletter Editor, (Sheila Smith). She paid

tribute to Michael and Margaret Gowler, who have edited the

newsletter very successfully for several years, but now feel it is

time to step back and allow new blood to take over.

Membership of BRLHS stands at 85 with 9 Honorary members,

but some overdue subscriptions are still outstanding, and it is

hoped that last year’s level of 122 will be attained or even

surpassed. Attendance at meetings has declined, but this may be

partly due to problems with the venue, now we hope resolved.

During the year some members expressed concern over the

running of the Society, and were duly invited to put these

concerns directly to the Committee, after which a news sheet was

sent out to all members addressing these items. Members are

reminded that they are entitled to read the minutes of committee

meetings, copies of which can be obtained from the Secretary.

Finally Kay thanked the Committee for their support and added

that special thanks are due to some non-committee members,

particularly Sheila Smith and Elaine Cox, who have worked

tirelessly in the background, proving that you do not have to be on

a Committee to put your heart and soul into the Society.

Secretary’s Report

The Secretary, Angela Gillespie, began by paying tribute to Kay at

the end of her term as Chairman and presented her with a potted

plant as a token of thanks for her hard work.

She reported an interesting range of talks, including one on the

Great War by member Cliff Mewett who is researching a book on

the subject and we look forward to its publication later this year.

Our October talk by County Archaeologist John Mills was

particularly interesting when he gave an insight into

archaeological digs around Bognor, especially at North Bersted

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prior to development, where particularly interesting things have

been found. The visit by Screen Archive South east was also very

enjoyable, when we were shown the earliest clips of Sussex

resorts, including Bognor Regis. The Christmas Lunch at

Reminisce was very successful and we were well looked after by

the staff, for which we thank them.

All members are invited to attend the annual Wreath Laying

service to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone of the

resort on Wednesday 18th January at 10.30am at the grave of Sir

Richard Hotham in South Bersted churchyard. This year we have

been invited by the Friends of South Bersted to join them for

refreshments in the Church afterwards and to hear something

about their activities.

Angela then paid tribute to Kay Fall’s hard work as Chairman,

much of it going unnoticed, and to Eve May, whose great

knowledge of people and events in the town will fortunately still

be available to us, and who will continue to keep an eye on

members who are sick or in hospital.

Finally she thanked members for supporting meetings and

predicted another successful year with some interesting talks

already programmed.

Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer Gwen Twaites, began by thanking Mr. Dougal

Maconachie for carrying out the Examination and presenting him

with a small gift in appreciation

Referring to copies of the accounts which had been circulated she

pointed out that income showed sums in respect of this year’s

subscriptions already received and money prepaid for the

Christmas lunch. Arrangements can now be made for

subscriptions to be paid by standing order if members wish.

The Museum accounts should not be viewed as typical as they

include expenses in respect of our former premises at 69 High

Street for which we were responsible until 31st March 2011. The

bank loan incurred set up and legal fees and repayments began in

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December 2010 although no rents were received from the flats

until April 2011. Many ‘one off’ expenses had been incurred

during the setting up of new displays during the first season, so

that future years should show better figures. Advertising costs

have increased considerably, essential following the move, and

telephone bills include internet charges, which we did not have

previously. However, in spite of this there is a surplus of income

over expenditure. As soon as possible a maintenance fund will be

set up to allow for major refurbishment expense. Members’ loans

have been repaid and the Bank Loan which is over ten years can

be repaid earlier without additional cost if funds allow.

The accounts were accepted with thanks to the Treasure

(Proposer: J Barnes, Seconder: A Luckett

Museum curator’s report

Curator David Jennings reported the Grand Opening of the new

Museum in West Street on 2nd April 2011, attended by the Mayor,

Councillor Sandra Daniells, Councillor Don Ayling on behalf of

Arun D C and our local MP, Nick Gibb and a large number of

members of the society and Museum. The opening ceremony was

graciously led by our principal Benefactor Mrs Jenny Jones. No

commemorative displays could be produced this year but we were

grateful to Sue Kidd for supplying a display to celebrate the 175th

anniversary of the Royal Norfolk Hotel, and many of our old

boards were put to good use.

95 Object Entry Forms have been completed this year

representing some 115 individual donated items, and many more

photographs and documents have been added to the collection

over the year. Groups of children from several local schools have

been welcomed and have benefited from use of the Research

Room and toilet facilities. Feedback from other visiting groups

has been excellent, evidence of which is in our Visitors’ Book

which contains many very complimentary comments. We are no

longer receiving ‘chance’ visitors due to our location and visitor

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numbers are down by 4000 to 6431. We hope to improve this

situation as our new location becomes better known.

Disappointingly Arun DC has refused to support the Museum in

anyway financially, in spite of benefiting substantially from our

decision to vacate their premises at 69 High Street. BR Town

Council, however continue to award us a substantial grant, along

with several Parish Councils, who allocate smaller amounts.

Thanks go to the few who continue to help behind the scenes to

ensure the smooth running of the Museum particularly Eve May,

Elaine Cox, Kay Fall, Gwen Twaites and Maurice Bone and

special thanks to Sheila Smith who has worked hard to bring the

Document Archive up to date and proceeded to volunteer for the

mammoth task of re-scanning and re-organising the Photo Archive

Thanks also to all stewards who are the public face of the

Museum.

Advertisements have already been placed for the 2012 season in

various local publications. Since we closed at the end of October

new mock shop windows have been built, the general consensus

being that this style of display was missed by many. The

Chichester display units proved not to be a practical option, and

their use would have changed the character of the Museum

entirely. The layout of the Museum is therefore very different

from that in October last. Familiarisation sessions are to be held in

March for stewards to reorientate themselves in the new displays.

He finished his report by looking forward to an enjoyable 2012

season.

Election of committee and officers

The Chairman and Committee stood down and the Secretary took

the chair temporarily for the election of the Chairman, Mrs Kay

Fall resigned as Chairman and one nomination had been received

(Proposer: D Gray Seconder: D Fitter) Cliff Mewett was duly

elected. He thanked the outgoing Chairman and members and said

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he would work towards improving the membership numbers as

there are many people interested in local history who are not

members of BRLHS.

Mrs Eve May resigned as Vice Chairman and one nomination had

been received (Proposer: M Bone, Seconder: D Gray) Chris

Burstow was duly elected.

Mrs A Gillespie was re-elected Secretary (Proposer: K Fall,

Seconder: C Burstow.

Mrs G Twaites was re-elected Treasurer (Proposer: A Gillespie,

Seconder: E Cox).

Mr David Jennings was re-elected Curator (Proposer: K Fall,

Seconder: S Smith).

Mr Ken Hawkins has resigned for family reasons and is unable to

stand for re-election.

The following were willing to stand for re-election to the

Committee;

Mrs Kay Fall who will continue to act as Membership Secretary

(Proposer: S Smith, Seconder: A Gillespie

Mrs A Luckett (Proposer: C Mewitt, Seconder: C Burstow).

Mrs J Barnes (Proposer: E Cox, Seconder: C Burstow).

Greg Burt has been co-opted to the committee and offered to

continue as Publicity Officer. (Proposer: J Passingham, Seconder:

J Barnes).

Further nominations received:

Mr Howard Dicks who has already taken over as Programme

Secretary (Proposer: C Burstow, Seconder: E Cox).

Mrs Helen Bowles (Proposer: A Luckett, Seconder: C Burstow).

These members were duly elected to the Committee.

Mr Dougal Maconochie agreed to continue as Examiner of

Accounts. (Proposer: J Barnes, Seconder: K Fall).

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Any other business

The possibility of a Museum sub-committee or management

Committee was brought up and names of interested parties taken

by J Barnes, including those interested in taking over a particular

display on a subject of interest to them.

Barry Jones asked if his suggestion of advertising flags outside the

Museum had been considered. Greg Burt confirmed that

additional sign writing had been negotiated for MUSEUM to be

put on the façade and two wall returns.

Greg Burt reminded members that the Regis Centre has offered a

room for meetings, having helped us out on a previous occasion

when we found the Hub locked and unavailable. Unfortunately the

room offered was considered too small and the alternative is not

always available.

Sylvia Endacott pointed out that many Societies are holding

meetings on Saturday afternoons, as people are often reluctant to

be out on cold winter evenings. The Committee have considered

daytime meetings but feel that weekdays would be unacceptable

as working members could not attend and we are keen to attract

younger people.

Barry Jones asked for information about the quotations received

for adapting the rear building to house the bathing machine, and

suggested that a completely new building could be built from

scratch for less cost on the car park. David Jennings doubted if it

would be cheaper and felt that it would mean the loss of two car

spaces. Now that the 3 quotations have been received a grant

application would be made.

In answer to a query concerning any problems with the flats above

the Museum David Jennings said they were in the hands of AC

Lettings, and had been successfully let as soon as they were

available and all three tenancies have just been renewed for a

further period.

Sylvia Endacott asked if any reason had been given for Arun DC’s

refusal to give any financial assistance, and Jenny Jones answered

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that they were no longer taking applications for grants from any

organisation.

.

The AGM closed at 8.15pm after which David Jennings showed a

selection of slides giving the history of entertainment in the town,

bringing back memories for many of evenings at the theatre or

cinema.

Past Chairman’s Chatters, The Finale

As you will now be aware, I have given up as chairman, so you

will be relieved to know that I will not be nagging you all into

doing jobs for the Society/Museum. I am still on the committee as

they threatened to lock the door at the AGM so that I could not

escape. Seriously though, I wish out new chairman Cliff all the

best and I hope that he can achieve all that he wants for the

Society. I am also pleased to welcome 3 other new committee

members Helen, Howard and Chris.

I was very sorry to receive the news that Eve was retiring, she has

always been a valid member of the committee taking on many

roles including sorting out the rota for the Museum stewards, but

after all these years she felt it was time for a well-deserved rest.

She will, of course, still be there for us in an advisory capacity.

Also Margaret and Michael Gowler have given up editing the

newsletter, and our thanks for their hard work over the past five

years, pushing you all for articles, snippets etc. You will now have

Sheila after you all, our thanks to her for taking on this task,

editing not nagging is what I mean. (Editor’s note; I’m quite good

at the nagging, not so sure about the editing)

I will still do a little nagging myself as I am still membership

secretary and those of you that have not yet paid their subscription

there will be a reminder with this newsletter. Remember subs

were due for renewal last November.

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David has worked tirelessly over the winter to re-organise the

Museum which re opens on 31st March. The opening ceremony, to

which you are all invited, is usually at noon and we open to the

public at 1.00pm.

I have enjoyed my time as your chairman although it did involve a

lot of hard work and in my final year I did try delegating some of

the jobs, so Cliff be careful you do not take on too much.

Let’s see the Society and Museum go from strength to strength

which we can only do with support from ALL our members.

Kay Fall

Introducing our new Chairman I am pleased to take this opportunity to introduce myself as your

Chairman for the coming year, but would like first of all to

sincerely thank outgoing Chairman Kay Fall for her hard work

and dedication to the Society over the past few years, particularly

her involvement in the setting up of our new Museum. We have

not lost Kay altogether and I am pleased to say that she is

continuing on the committee as the membership secretary.

For my part I joined the Society about seven years ago, although I

have lived in Bognor Regis for twenty five years and have always

had a great interest in Sussex history. Hastings is my home town

and in 1987 my family and I were transferred to Bognor on

promotion during my 23 years working for the Prudential. Prior to

that I worked for the Post Office and returned to that organisation

after taking early retirement from the Pru. All of my working life

has involved me in travelling around Sussex, from Rye in the east

to Chichester in the west and I soon developed an interest in the

history of the County. As well as working I was serving in the

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, being commissioned in 1978.

Marion and I have been married for thirty eight years and we have

a shared interest owning classic cars and motor-cycles. Our two

daughters are now following successful careers of their own

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and having recently retired I am now able to devote more time to

local history and the Society.

The coming year will be a challenging one for our Society,

promoting the Museum to increase our footfall is a priority and to

increase our membership. There are many people who are

interested in local history, I'm sure we all know some and these

are the people we need to attract. To meet this challenge you have

elected a strong committee, who I know are keen to take the

Society forward and you can help, simply by bringing a friend to

one of our talks, they will be most welcome and hopefully we will

sign them up.

I look forward to meeting you all during the coming year.

Cliff Mewett

Creating a Buzz ‘A small sensation was caused in Station Road by

the cabmen’s shelter on Thursday morning about

11.30, when the thoroughfare was alive with busy

bees, which had swarmed from a hive in Linden

Road. For some time the traffic was a little

“nervous” and caused a detour by some people

through the station yard. Mr. Cagier, of South Bersted, attempted

to catch the bees, but eventually they left their actual retreat under

the shelter, and hived themselves in the garden of Miss Phillips, of

Linden Road, from whence they had originally come’

From the Bognor Observer Wednesday 13th July 1921.

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R E Simpson – In Memory Stewards at the museum will know that radio buffs and interested

public, young and old, continue to enjoy the Ron Simpson

wireless collection in our new West Street

premises, expertly displayed by Don

Fowdry. Moved by the story of Ron and

his radios he wanted to ensure their

preservation. Many will say that Ron’s

most lasting legacy was to bequeath the

Museum Collection to the Society in

perpetuity. Above all else Ron cared

passionately about his radios. They had

helped sustain him through difficult and

unhappy periods of his life. The area given

to him at The Lodge, Hotham Park, was a

great delight, his baby, and the first time some of his collection

could be displayed to the public. After the move to 69 High Street

and the official opening in 1997 some will recall that a few

months later Ron held an official opening of his wireless museum

with invited radio enthusiasts. Ron’s radios were on the road and

on the map. It was his dream to find suitable premises at a

reasonable rent for a radio museum but none were found and then

ill health prevented him from fulfilling his dream.

While the Society received some of Ron’s collection much was

destroyed along with his stamp collection showing little respect

for his lifelong interests. We are not certain who took this

decision. Arising from this it seemed as though a small memorial

was needed for his grave which remained unmarked. With Derek

Frampton’s help a wooden cross was made and a plaque mounted

upon it. As Derek commented ‘it was the last thing we could do

for him’. On occasions when tending his grave in the peace of

Chalcraft Lane cemetery I wonder if Ron can ‘tune in’ to the

companionship and friendship he found in the museum with his

radio collection. Anon.

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Opening the Pier Pavilion

By Ron Iden

This event took place on the evening of Monday 9th July 1900,

after the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York (later King

George V and Queen Mary) to open the Victorian Convalescent

Home and the Princess Mary Memorial Home, on the seafront

between Clarence Road and Albert Road (demolished 1980, now

Berkeley Court flats).

Chichester Observer, Wednesday 11th July 1900 ‘In order that the new Pavilion on the Pier should commemorate

the Royal Visit, the opening ceremony of the new building was

arranged to take place in the evening, and was celebrated by

holding a special concert. The Pavilion and the alterations to the

pier have been effected at a cost of something like £850. The

pavilion which will accommodate 500 persons, is of octagonal

shape, with three windows on either side of the entrance and the

stage facing the shore. A great feature in the building is the lantern

light which is 24 feet square, supported upon four prettily

decorated columns. The lantern not only gives abundant light for

the hall but provides the means for efficient ventilation. For lovers

of the fragrant weed smoking lounges are provided on each side of

the building, from which a splendid view of the English Channel

is obtainable. Shelter from the prevailing wind can therefore

always be found on one side or the other. The acoustic properties

of the hall have been studied and in this direction Mr Bridges has

scored a signal success. The interior is decorated in white and

blue, and the exterior is of a light green colour picked out with a

darker green. Although not crowded, there was a good audience

present, nearly 350 persons paying for admission, (the takings

being over £20) on Monday evening, when the Pavilion was

formally declared open by Mr. H. Lovett, J.P., Chairman of the

Bognor Urban District Council. He was supported by Mr. H.L.

Staffurth (Clerk), the Rev. W.D. Yoward and Messrs A. Gergory,

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W. Grice, A.T. Long, Tate, H.N.Travers and J Hughes (members

of the Council) and Mr. Oswald A. Bridges (surveyor). Included

in the audience were Mr. Waechter, the donor of the Memorial

Home, Mr Sawyer, a member of the Home Committee, Mr. L.H.

Dixon, Mr. E.L. Best, Mrs Beaumont, Rev. S.H. Nobbs-Rawdon,

Mr. Gatehouse, Mr A. Goodall, Rev. James Taylor, Mr A.

Seymour and Mr T. Tregear &c. The proceedings commenced

with the orchestra playing “God Save the Queen.”

Roller skating in the early 1900s, soon after the Pavilion was built.

The Chairman of the Council then addressed the assembly in a

very lengthy speech observing that he considered that to have

been the greatest day Bognor had ever had. It had been a day

which would long be remembered by all Bognorians. From a little

fishing place, Bognor had risen to the position of receiving in its

midst the future King and Queen of England (applause).They

looked upon it as a great honour and he, (Mr Lovett) appreciated

the position in which he had been placed of acknowledging the

honour that had been bestowed upon the town that day. Speaking

of the Pavilion, Mr Lovett went on to say that so determined were

the ratepayers to have a Pavilion for the benefit of the visitors that

the Council had gone with the work independently of whether or

not they would receive the Local Government Board loan (hear,

hear). The rate payers had said they would have a Pavilion for the

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visitors to go to in wet and windy weather, and a place where the

residents themselves might spend many a pleasant hour, and this

Pavilion they had now got. He noticed in the audience the

gentleman (Mr Waechter) who had done a great deal towards

bringing the Royal visitors to their town – the first Royal visit,

although the Queen as a young Princess once upon a time resided

in the town – and their thanks were due to that gentleman for the

honour that had been conferred upon them (applause). He could

only say that the reception which had been given to the Duke and

Duchess would shew the gentleman referred to that they, as a

town, had done their duty as far as they were able. Bognor was a

small town, but its people were progressive, and they intended to

make everything as comfortable as possible for the visitors. What

had taken place that day, he ventured to think, had not only had

the result of bringing many visitors to the town, but he thought it

would also have the result of bringing to the town many

substantial residents. Again alluding to the Pavilion, Mr Lovett

said it was a handsome building and one which nobody need have

any fear of being dangerous in a storm or anything else. Great

credit was due to the Surveyor for having erected it in so short a

period, and he was only too proud to be able to declare it open to

the public, in commemoration of the auspicious occasion of the

visit of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York.

(applause) The Chairman and his colleagues then left the platform,

and the concert was proceeded with, the programme being

contributed to by Mr. Walter Beaumont (tenor), Miss Thorp

(soprano), Mr. Griffith Humphreys (from the Egyptian Hall), Mr

Gordon Craig (dramatic reciter) and the Pier Orchestra, under the

direction of Mr H.E. Angless. Arrangements had been made for

the illumination of the Pier with Chinese lanterns, but a breeze

which sprung up prevented these being lighted. It should be

mentioned the substructure of the Pavilion has been reconstructed

by Mr. Frederick Grace, of Eastbourne, who advised the Council

on this matter early in February, but the work was not commenced

until the middle of May. The Pavilion itself has been designed by

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Mr. Oswald A. Bridges and has been erected under his personal

supervision. The Council are to be congratulated upon the great

improvement and especially the Pier committee for making the

arrangements.

A Ghostly Experience in Pagham By P Karn-Smith

One Monday afternoon about 2pm, while driving down Pagham

Road towards Church Farm, I was surprised to see a haywain

coming from the opposite direction, almost overflowing with

people who were laughing and seemed to be having a really good

time. They were dressed, I would guess, in clothing of the late

nineteenth or early twentieth century. Just before I turned left the

haywain turned right into Sea Lane. I remember thinking I must

have another look at this but as I turned left into Sea Lane the

haywain had completely disappeared. It occurred to me then that I

had heard no sound from the horses or the people. Everything had

been silent.

I wondered whether anyone has had a similar experience or has

heard of anything relating to this story.

Editor’s note; whilst on the subject does anyone

know the story of the ghost that supposedly haunts

the Berkeley Arms?

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Antiques Roadshow By Jane Barnes

Members may be aware that the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow

visited the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum in the

autumn. Our wonderful curator suggested we took some items

from our Museum artefacts and suggested some blue and white

tiles which had come from the Victorian Convalescent Home for

Surrey Women which stood on the Eastern Esplanade, then known

as Marine Drive. He pointed out that he would not be able to

attend himself as he would be away but if anyone would like to

volunteer…….

Thus it was that on a windy morning in early September Kay Fall,

Sheila Smith and myself met up in Pagham to travel together to

Singleton. Kay had decided that, as we should be seeing a

Ceramics expert, it would be a good idea to bring his/her attention

to our own local potters, and had therefore selected a piece of

Masters’ pottery and an example of Eric Mellon’s work.

By 10.30am we had joined the queue at the Museum to register

our items and to be assigned to an expert. The queue we soon

discovered, snaked its way from the bottom field car park

entrance, used on ‘event’ days, to the Market Place at the centre of

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the Museum, and two and a half hours later we eventually reached

our destination, the Registration Desk. Thirty seconds later, with

our small registration slip in hand we were on our way to our next

queue, for Ceramics, always the longest we were told. Another

two and a half hours went by before we were ushered to the table

of one of the experts.

Actually this experience was not nearly as bad as it sounds.

(Editor’s note; Oh yes it was!). Although it was cool and breezy it

did not rain, and eventually there was even some watery sunshine.

There were drinks and food stalls set up along the route of the first

queue, and as there were three of us we were able to take it in

turns to take a walk around the premises, watch some filming and

eat our picnic lunches, and of course there were plenty of people

to talk to in the queues. I spent some time watching Andy

McConnell, one of the experts in Glassware, who was very

entertaining, speaking as much to the circle of public surrounding

his table as to the owner of the actual item he was examining. He

explained the system by which an item is first selected for filming,

and then given a time slot for the actual cameraman, sometimes

several hours later. He also pointed out that experts have to look

for the picturesque, which would make a good camera shot, as

well as items of particular value or historical interest. He had

selected a glass Sun plaque for filming, because it was so

decorative, although not of any particular interest as an antique. I

also narrowly escaped spoiling one of Fiona Bruce’s shots when I

came up behind her unexpectedly just as the cameras were starting

to roll. The cameraman insisted on reshooting anyway for some

reason, but I don’t think it was my fault. I also saw a gentleman

get a very pleasant surprise when his print was valued. That also

had to be reshot, but he was told not to worry about simulating his

reaction, as that bit was already ‘in the can’.

But what of our tiles and pottery? Our expert was Fergus Gambon,

one of the current regulars, and a man of great charm. He thought

the blue and white tiles were 19c copies of 18c Delft tiles, the

earlier ones always being much smaller, only 3 or 4 inches square

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and considerably more valuable, whereas ours are about 5 or 6

inches and worth about £5 each. He was interested to hear that

there was a convalescent home for Surrey women in Bognor. Why

bother to send them to Bognor he wondered, and we were able to

explain that this was a common occurrence due to the belief of the

health giving properties of its sea air.

The home was opened in July 1900 by the Duke and Duchess of

York, having started in temporary accommodation in 1897 to

celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, following a meeting

convened by the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey and attended by the

Mayors of Godalming, Guildford, Kingston upon Thames, Reigate

and Richmond. In the second half of the 19c, as the importance of

hygiene to health was gradually recognised, glazed tiles were used

extensively in public buildings to ease the cleaning of them.

Originally produced in the Delft region of Holland, they were

imported in large quantities until the English potteries learnt the

techniques of manufacture and began to produce them here.

When shown the Masters

pottery jug Mr Gambon

admitted that he had never

seen anything quite like it, but

said it was very competently

made and that its value was

almost impossible to estimate,

being what a buyer was

prepared to spend, maybe £30

per item, but possibly up to

£100 with its local interest

and provenance. Frederick

Masters was a Master Potter trained at the Belle Vue Pottery in

Rye who retired to Bognor in 1931 and continued to work from

his studio in Lyon Street. His work is typical Sussex rustic style,

the jug we took to the Roadshow being decorated with hops.

20

Likewise, Eric Mellon’s pottery was unknown to him, but as he is

still active his items can be valued against new items currently for

sale. His style is modern and often incorporates views of nude

figures. Mr Gambon thanked us for taking these items and pointed

out to his colleague that he was receiving a lesson from us on this

occasion.

So our museum has not uncovered untold riches, but we had an

enjoyable day, and although we all took care to keep away from

the cameras you never know, you might get a peek of one of us

when it is shown on TV this spring. Look out for it in the next few

weeks.

Other People’s Museums, part 1 By Jane Barnes

This notice was seen in Carisbrooke Castle Museum on the Isle of

Wight.

PLEASE

NO SMOKING

(by order of the Government)

NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY

(by order of the Curator)

NO FOOD, DRINK OR STICKY SWEETS

(by order of the Cleaner)

NO DOGS

(by order of Tiddles the Cat)

21

Wreath Laying

The annual ceremony commemorating the day, 225 years ago, that

Sir Richard Hotham laid the foundation stone of his first building

which he named Bognor Lodge (demolished in 1938), took place

on Wednesday 18th January. It was attended by around 30 people,

including our Town Mayor, Jim Brooks. Arun District Council did

not respond to our invitation to send a representative. Councillor

Brooks called for a full size bronze statue of Sir Richard to be

given pride of place in the town centre and for the ‘sun sculpture’

to be moved ‘to more suitable surroundings’. He said he would

support any fund raising initiative to make this happen.

Two pupils from South Bersted School, Iona Airzee and Malachi

Grant laid floral tributes, made from foliage gathered in Hotham

Park, on the grave. The Rev. Tim Crouch and the Friends of South

Bersted Church very kindly invited us into the church afterwards

for some refreshments and to learn more about the plans of the

newly formed Friends.

22

Bognor at War 1 By Cliff Mewett

HMS Black Prince (pictured below) was a Duke of Edinburgh

Class Armoured

Cruiser which

was launched in

1904. At the

outbreak of World

War One three

Bognor sailors

were serving

aboard her, Petty

Officer Stoker

Henry

Hellyer, Able

Seaman Albert

Newbury, who lived at 11 Scott Street and Leading Seaman

Walter Simmonds who lived at 2 Scott Street. Her early war

service saw her stationed in the Mediterranean before moving into

the Red Sea to protect troop convoys from India and to deal with

any German merchant ships of which she captured two. Returning

to home waters she was attached to the Grand Fleet.

In 1916 the long anticipated battle between the Grand Fleet and

the German High Seas Fleet took place in the North Sea with

HMS Black Prince forming part of the First Cruiser Squadron.

During the course of the engagement HMS Black Prince, in

company with HMS Defence and HMS Warrior came under

attack, HMS Defence was sunk and HMS Warrior disabled.

During this action HMS Black Prince had a rough time and

became detached and out of touch from the Grand Fleet which had

taken a different course. Now alone she headed for a line of

Battleships which were dimly visible in the far distance and as she

approached them received a German recognition flash, she had

unwittingly headed for a line of larger more powerful German

ships. Hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned HMS Black Prince

23

tried to escape by turning sharply but was now totally exposed by

the brilliant searchlights of four German warships that battered her

from stem to stern, disabling her guns before she could fire a shot.

Now totally out of control HMS Black Prince drifted past the

German ships who continued to pour fire on her until with a

tremendous explosion she blew up with all hands.

As well as the three Bognor sailors others from Chichester,

Littlehampton and Arundel were also aboard her and they are all

commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial at Southsea.

The above were not the only local casualties in the Battle of

Jutland, Petty Officer Harry Allen, Petty Officer Leonard

Bailey, both lost their lives on HMS Invincible, Stokers Francis

Farley and Joseph Parslow perished on HMS Queen Mary and

Able Seaman Edward Wade went down with HMS Shark. June

1916 was certainly a black month for many Bognor families.

Bognor at War 2 Submitted by Kay Fall

Bognor Regis Observer December 9th

1939 Thirty two persons, including motorists and

cyclists were summoned at the Bognor Regis

Police Court on Thursday in respect of lighting offences.

Fines were imposed on the following defendants for having cars

without lights: Charles Frederick Fidoe, 10s; Frederick Walter

Ames of Havelock Road Bognor Regis 10s; and Morris Benjamin

of Nyewood Lane 5s.

Cyclist riding without lights were fined as follow: Anne Rosemary

Allen 5s, Pamela Morgan of Marshall Ave, 15s Vivien Jennet of

Felpham 15s; William Hector Beale of Felpham 10s; John Cyril

Shepherd of Dorset Road 7s 6d; Doreen Sands of Bognor 15s;

James Hall of Green court Drive North Bersted 5s; John Miller of

West oats Gardens 10s; Charles William Homer of New Barn

Lane 5s; William Thomas Coins of Bognor 5s; Douglas George

24

Corduroy of Chichester Road 10s; William Wilson of Nye wood

Lane 5s; Patrick Connelly of Town Cross Avenue 5s; Frank

Creighton of Fletcher’s Lane Felpham 7s 6d; Michael Cater of

Kyoto Court 7s 6d; Roy Penn of Tangmere 10s, William John

Sands of Bognor 10s; and James Alfred Blake of Hoe Lane

Flansham 7s 6d. Herbert Lough and Ivy Cooksey were fined 5s

each for two persons being carried on a bicycle.

I wonder how many people are fined today.

Editor’s note: Although this was during the ‘blackout’ which had

been imposed on 1st

September 1939, two

days before war was

declared, there were so

many people being killed

in road accidents that by

December the regulations

had been modified to

require vehicles to show

specially adapted lights.

Pedestrians were allowed

to carry a small torch providing they didn’t point it skywards.

The king's surgeon, Wilfred Trotter, wrote an article for the

British Medical Journal where he pointed out that by "frightening

the nation into blackout regulations, the Luftwaffe was able to kill

600 British citizens a month without ever taking to the air, at a

cost to itself of exactly nothing."

25

The Green Thing

Submitted by Maurice Bone Editor’s note; The original was obviously written for an American

audience and I have ‘anglicized’ it.

In the queue at the shop the cashier told the older woman that she

should bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags weren’t

good for the environment. The woman apologised and explained;

‘We didn’t have the green thing back in my day’.

The cashier replied ‘That’s our problem; the former generation did

not care enough to save our environment.’

He was right, that generation didn’t have the green

thing in their day. Back then they returned their

milk bottles, lemonade bottles and beer bottles to

the store. They were washed, sterilized and refilled so that the

same bottle could be used over and over again. So they really

were recycled.

But they didn’t have the green thing back in that customer’s day.

In her day they walked upstairs because they didn’t have lifts and

escalators. They walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into

a 300 horsepower machine to go a couple of hundred yards.

But she was right they didn’t have the green thing in her day.

Back then they washed the baby’s nappies because they didn’t

have the throwaway kind. They dried the clothes on a line not an

energy gobbling three kilowatt machine. Wind and solar energy

really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand me downs clothes from

their brothers and sisters, not always brand new clothing.

But she was right they didn’t have the green thing back in her day.

26

Back then they had one TV or radio in the house, not a TV in

every room And the TV had a small screen the size of a

handkerchief, not a screen the size of Sussex.

In the kitchen they blended and stirred by hand because they

didn’t have electric machines to do everything for you. When they

posted a fragile item it was wrapped in old newspapers to protect

it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then they didn’t fire up an engine and burn

petrol just to cut the lawn. They used a push

mower that ran on human power. They

exercised by working so they didn’t need to go

to a health club to run on electric treadmills.

But she’s right they didn’t have the green thing back

then.

They refilled their writing pens with ink instead of

buying a new pen and they replaced the razor blades in

a razor in stead of throwing away the whole razor just

because the blade became dull.

But they didn’t have the green thing back then.

Back then people took the bus and kids rode their bikes to school

or walked instead of turning their mums into a 24 hour taxi

service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire

bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And they didn’t

need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from a

satellite 2000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza

place.

27

But isn’t it sad that the current generation laments how wasteful

the old folks were just because they didn’t have the green thing

back then!

Other People’s Museums – part 2

By Jane Barnes

The Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences is one of the museums

of the University of Cambridge. It holds many specimens of rocks

and fossils sent back to England by Charles Darwin during his

voyage on the ‘Beagle’ as he had studied at Cambridge under

Adam Sedgwick. It also contains an impressive array of fossil

specimens from different parts of England including many from

Sussex; full size reconstructions of dinosaurs and the largest

spider ever known, reconstructed from a fossil in Argentina. In

Bay 7 is a whole shelf of Bognor Rock (not the confectionary

type!) complete with specimens of Rotularia Bognoriensis.

From our archives – part 1

Letter heading from 1917, Hairdresser, Tobacconist and Umbrella

Maker seems an odd assortment of trades.

28

An Elegant Watering Place

Extract from a booklet of the same name by your editor which is

on sale in the Museum.

You perhaps do not recognise this description of Bognor but in a

1794 travel guide it was described as a ‘fashionable and elegant

watering place’ and its houses were praised as being of such

elegance that they would not ‘disgrace the Metropolis.’

Although Sir Richard did not achieve his ambition of enticing

George III to Bognor, he built Dome House for just this purpose,

his son the Prince Regent, later George IV did spend a few days

there visiting his mistress Countess of Jersey who was holidaying

there. George IV’s daughter, Princess Charlotte spent three

summer holidays there.

Queen Victoria holidayed here as a child and in later life referred

to ‘dear little Bognor’. At least she was more complimentary that

her grandson George V who after convalescing here was alleged

to have been very rude indeed!

In the early days of Hotham’s empire the aristocracy did come in

large numbers, some just to visit, others to stay. The cast list for

the 1795 season included; Duke of Devonshire, Duchess of

Rutland, Lord Spencer, the Earl and Countess of Pembroke, Lord

Lucan, Lord Dunwar, Lady Grantham, daughter of the Earl

Hardwicke and Lady Uxbridge whose husband was later to lead a

famous Life Guards charge at the battle of Waterloo.

Lady Hester Newdigate, visiting Bognor with friends, was so

impressed that she took a house for the season. She wrote a series

of letters to her husband which gives us a flavour of Bognor at the

time. ‘We were quite delighted with the place. Sir Richard

Hotham to whom it belongs has built 30 or 40 neat convenient

29

houses of different sizes for the reception of Company, all

pleasantly situated and with full view of the sea. A convenient hot

sea bath is also just made and the Great World has taste enough to

prefer it to all others upon this coast. Whilst we sat down to

dinner, there passed the Duchesses of Devonshire and Rutland,

Lady E Foster, Dowager Lady Sefton etc and we saw the names

and titles of at least 20 more of the very supreme set.’

Among aristocratic residents were the Earl of Arran, the Earl and

Countess of Mayo and Claude Bowes Lyon, Earl of Strathmore,

the Queen’s maternal great grandfather.

An advertisement for Bognor Rocks, as it was then called, in the

Sussex Weekly Advertiser dated 19th May 1792 states;

To be Lett

Seven handsome houses, built last summer, on a moderate scale,

on a plan of convenience and comfort, the whole completely

furnished, in a style of elegant neatness; with gardens to each, laid

out in walks and planted with shrubs. The situation is truly

desirable, being within a quarter of a mile from the sea, from

which there is an extensive and grand view of the Main ocean, and

the Isle of Wight; the eye is at the same time presented with

picturesque views of a rich and fertile inland country,

commanding views of the Surrey and Sussex hills, with distinct

views of Chichester, Stanstead, Goodwood, Slindon and Arundel

30

This probably refers to Hothamton Place, sometimes known as

Hothamton Row which had a frontage of 169 feet and stood

adjacent to East Row; both buildings overlooked Hothamton Field

later to be called Waterloo Square. Completed around 1789 they

were to be let as furnished accommodation for visitors.

Hothamton Place comprised seven residences; the centre portion

had eight bedrooms while others contained three or four bedrooms

each. All had drawing, dining and breakfast rooms with quarters

for domestic staff in the basement. The building was described in

newspaper advertisements of the time as ‘genteel dwellings with a

south aspect commanding an uninterrupted sea view and

delightful inland prospects’.

After Hotham’s death his properties were sold to pay his debts and

in 1800 the building, together with 6 acres of land, was purchased

by Mr Hurst for £4400. It was acquired about 1870 by the

Merchant Taylors Company of London for use as a convalescent

home for women. It was sold in 1921, along with Waterloo

Square, to Bognor Urban District Council and was the first of

Hotham’s buildings to be demolished in 1935.

31

From our archives – part 2

Can anybody throw any light on this

picture? It has been suggested that the

windsock at the top of the obelisk

may indicate an air show. The

registration on one of the vehicles

indicates that it was registered in

London in the 1920s. There appears

to be a haystack on the right and what

might just possibly be a Tamarisk

hedge in the distance. I suspect this

may not be Bognor at all.

Anyone

recognise where

this restaurant or

dining room

was?

32

Other People’s Museums – part 3 By Jane Barnes

Osbourne House, on the Isle of Wight, was one of Queen

Victoria’s favourite holiday homes, where she and Prince Albert

made a happy atmosphere for their growing family beside the

seaside. The family had their own bathing machine on the shore,

which ran out into the water on stone rails. This can still be seen

today.

The introductory exhibition at the entrance shows a typical scene

on a beach where bathing machines are being used. It shows

BOGNOR beach to the west of the pier, complete with Jenkin’s

bathing machines.

33

Jenkin’s restored

bathing machine

which will be

displayed at the

Museum. It

necessitates the

raising of the roof

of one of our

outbuildings but

hopefully this will

be done in time for

the 2013 season.

Sea Bathing

From the West Sussex gazette, 10th May 1855

To the Editor – sir, As I was much

pleased with your remarks on the

indelicacy of Sea Bathing at Bognor last

year, I hope you will extend them to

Brighton and Worthing, where they are

quite as much needed. At the same time I

must say that I do not think the plan

adopted at Bognor (making the gentlemen

wear drawers) meets the case. What is

wanted is an awning to each bathing

machine as in the Isle of Wight and at

Dover. They afford shelter to the gentlemen getting in and out of

machines, and under them ladies can bathe without exposure. I am

sure the adaption would be of great benefit to the watering places

on this coast, as many ladies avoid Sussex in the summer because

they cannot bathe with decency.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant, M.A.C. Brighton

34

A Hint to Visitors Chichester Observer 5th August 1914

Where a happy half hour can be spent

BOGNOR’S WEAVING INDUSTRY

No visitor to Bognor should leave the town without first paying a

visit to the premises of Bognor Hand-Weaving Industry, which are

situated in the High Street next to the Council Offices.

For some time past there has been growing interest in the revival

of the old forms of handicrafts, more especially with regard to

hand-loom weaving and the desire for beautiful as well as useful

things is rapidly spreading, there is an increasing demand for

fabrics of an artistic nature.

The Bognor Hand-Weaving Industry is established to make and

supply hand-woven materials of beauty, excellence and originality

of design, and to restore to their time-honoured places the loom,

wheel and needle.

The principal of the industry is Miss May Glanville, who extends

a hearty invitation to visitors to view the looms working. There is

no obligation whatever to buy.

It would be rather difficult to imagine anything more interesting to

amuse the children for half an hour than to spend the time at Miss

Glanville’s establishment, where so many beautiful things are

made. The premises are open daily.

Lessons can also be given at the following rates:-

Weaving, three hours daily, £2.10s per month

Spinning, two hours daily, £1.1s for six lessons

Miss Glanville attended the Children’s Welfare Exhibition that

was held at Olympia in April and her work was much admired.

35

Ladies may be interested to read the following extract from the

price list, though it should be understood there is no obligation

whatever on visitors to buy:-

Dress lengths from 15s; children’s frocks from 7s.6d; studio

aprons 8s; blouse lengths 5s: sideboard cloths, toilet covers, tray

cloths and covers of all descriptions at 3s.6d; bags 2s; children’s

bibs 3s; afternoon tea cloths 4s.

Derby House (left) and Valhalla

Submitted by Ron Iden who notes that the 1915 Bognor directory

records the Bognor hand-weaving industry at No. 70 High Street,

one of three houses (nos. 66 and 68 were the Council Offices,

previously the Jubilee School for girls) demolished in 1928 and

replaced by the bus station in 1934. The weavers then moved to

Derby House on the corner of Lyon Street and High Street which

was itself demolished in 1939.

36

BBRRRRRRRR !!

From the West Sussex Gazette 22nd February 1855.

BOGNOR – The severe weather.

For many years past we believe this coast has not presented such

an unusual appearance as it did on Saturday last, and several days

following. Large sheets of ice floated on the ocean, which, at low

water, gave it the appearance of a frozen lake. Not a ripple

disturbed the surface; sea birds here and there floated upon frozen

water, while various wild fowl, in flocks, passed over. On the

small craft and boats afloat could be seen, from the shore, crusts

of ice adhering to their hull, previously washed by the briny

waves. Large blocks of ice covered the sands, which, after each

receding tide, was literally frozen several inches in thickness. The

beach, covered in frozen foam or spray, appeared as hillocks of

snow, and in places as strongly cemented as a concrete wall.

Picture is from the winter of 1962/63

The Newsletter

The Society is grateful to all who have contributed articles, news,

comments and historical information for the newsletters over the

years. I hope the range of interests will continue to expand and

our publication will encourage and develop research into the past

and present of our ‘patch’ which covers from Elmer in the east to

Pagham in the west and including Bersted.

I am not quite sure how but apparently I volunteered to edit the

newsletter following the retirement of Michael and Margaret who

will be a hard act to follow

Contributions should be sent to me;

Mrs Sheila Smith

Thistledew

Lagoon Road

Pagham PO21 4TJ

Tel. 01243 262646

or by e mail at ‘sheila@barnie.myzen.co.uk’

e mail contributions will be especially welcome as it means that I

do not have to re type the copy. However please do not be put off;

I will gratefully accept typed or handwritten items.

Deadlines for contributions are end of January and July.

As I am also the Society’s archivist I will also be pleased to

receive any pictures, documents, memorabilia, newspaper cuttings

etc. of historical interest, either of local places or people. If they

are items you do not wish to part with they can be scanned into the

computer and returned to you.

Reg. Charity Number 286590

Printed by Graham Press, London Road, Bognor Regis

Meetings are held at 7.30pm at The Hub Community

Centre, 73 Queensway Bognor Regis on the second

Monday of each month. The April meeting is on the

3rd Monday because the 2nd Monday is Easter.

Programme secretary Mr Howard Dicks, 29, Overdown Road,

Felpham, PO22 9LF

Date Subject Speaker

12th March William Blake’s Felpham Jane Barnes

16th April William Hayley: Diana Barsham

3rd Monday The Felpham Years

14th May Myths, Legends & Tales

of the River Arun Cliff Mewett

11th June Social Evening, come along and see an interesting

variety of pictures, artefacts and documents whilst

enjoying a cup of tea.

July & August we do not meet

10th Sept. Arundel: 1000-2000 Rosemary

Hagedorn

8th October One Man’s Dream:

Butlins and other books Sylvia Endacott

12th Nov. The Victorian Christmas The Dividing Line

December Christmas Lunch, date to be advised

There is ample free parking space in the nearby Hothamton Car

Park. Visitors are welcome; admission £1.00.

Circumstances may unavoidably change the programme.